MENUOur mission is to discover books that inspire Reading for Pleasure.
Top Titles
Each year our schools team read hundreds of books and choose a set of Top Titles with a range of themes and cultural and gender diversity to promote Reading for Pleasure.
Super Readables
We also know some children find reading long books more of a challenge so we have curated a list of Super Readable titles, shorter books which are still a good read.
What makes the cut?
The books on our lists are always...
a really good read
recently published
value for money
We look for varied characters, engaging plots, diverse authors, and a range of settings and story lines.
The Bookery Top Titles for 2026
Our Top Titles have become highly valued resources for schools as core library stock, introducing children (and teachers) to new titles.
The 24-book selection is available as a complete set, or divided into three bundles available to purchase individually:
PICTURE BOOKS (age 4+)
6-book bundle
A Dinosaur Lives in Our Shed
What would you do if a little lost dinosaur followed you home from the park? You’d look after him, wouldn’t you? You’d make him a cosy bed in your shed… But can you keep him forever? Children will love the idea of having their own pet dinosaur and the search for his mum. There’s a great surprise ending too!
A Million Chameleons
A wonderfully illustrated book of very clever colourful chameleons. Meet the flicking-pea-leons, the splashing-in-the-sea-leons, not to mention the always-need-a-wee-leons… Lots to laugh about and love in this rhyming book.
Bothered by Bugs
Pete can’t settle to read his recipe book until the forest is cleared of the bothersome bugs and insects disturbing his peace… but without these ‘pests’, who will pollinate the trees or clear the forest of poo? A beautifully illustrated story with lots to learn about minibeasts.
The Café at the Edge of the Woods
A really quirky story about Rene, who sets out to run a café serving delicious food, only to find out her sole customer is an ogre. The ogre doesn’t want cheddar tart and truffle stew: he wants slugs and mice and pickled bats… What should Rene do? And how will she get more customers? Amazing drawings and a spooky theme!
Letters to a Monster
It’s a dark, stormy night and Sophie knows there is a monster under her bed. She writes him a letter: ‘I know you are hiding under my bed. I hear you breathing. Leave now or I will call the monster police’. She gets a letter back from The Gorilla. Uh oh! Who is really under the bed and what should Sophie do? A delightful tale of friendship and conquering your fears.
Mr Norton’s New Hat
On Monday morning, Mr Norton finds that a mouse has made a house in his hat. On Tuesday some birds have built a nest in his bicycle basket. What will he find on Wednesday? And what should he do? A delightful tale of kindness and friendship.
FIRST CHAPTER BOOKS (age 7+)
6-book bundle
Squirrel and Duck: The Invasion of the Doggy-Snatchers
Squirrel and Duck, the world’s only two talking animals, have noticed something: dogs are acting peculiarly everywhere. It’s the first clue to a shocking truth – ALIENS are invading, they’re taking over dogs’ bodies, and ONLY Squirrel and Duck can stop them! This is a funny book with lots of jokes and a good story.
The Notwitches
While lots of children have one or two problems, Melanda Notwitch has three: her horrible aunts. They really are the absolute WORST! Luckily, Melanda meets Mitch, a young witch who knows of a magic spell that might make everything better. All they have to do is find one special ingredient. How hard can it be? A funny book with some unexpected twists.
Gordon The Meanest Goose on Earth Wins it all
Gordon used to be THE MEANEST GOOSE ON EARTH, but now he’s trying to change his ways and be a good goose. He’s determined to win every event at the grand tournament and prove he’s the best goose around, even if that means cheating with the help of his old friends at the Meanest Goose Society. Can he succeed?
Tiny Dogs: Bea’s Secret Friends
Bea and her mum are moving in with her grandparents, meaning big changes for Bea…They arrive at her grandparents to find their big, beautiful garden is now completely wild. It seems like the perfect place to hide away, but then Bea hears a strange noise in the long grass and can’t quite believe what she finds: four tiny dogs no bigger than mice! A delightful story with full-colour illustrations.
Alan, King of the Universe
Meet Alan: an orange cat who is convinced he is born to rule and spends his days concocting brilliant plans to fulfil his destiny – from creating a brand-new country, Alanland, to cloning himself in an attempt to raise an entire army of Alans. Join Alan and his dog Fido on their hilarious adventures as they try to take over the universe – but only as long as they’re home in time for tea.
The Magnificent Book of Animals
From the tiny Rondo dwarf bush baby to the massive white rhinoceros, this book depicts some of the world’s most incredible animals with stunning and accurate illustrations. You can learn how a tiger marks its territory, why a polar bear isn’t really white, and how long a giraffe’s tongue actually is.
CONFIDENT READER (age 8+)
12-book bundle
The Strange Disappearance of Imogen Good
Fran is sent to stay with her aunt and uncle and her annoying cousin, Imogen, who is rude and unfriendly. But when she arrives, Imogen is missing and, very strangely, her parents say they have never heard of an Imogen. So, it’s up to Fran and Bex to find out what’s happened to her. Is it something to do with the hidden garden at Stillness Hall and the twelve statues that belong there? Could a mysterious old tale, a story of enchantment and death, hold the answers? A spooky tale with a brilliant storyline.
Fear Files: Hide and Seek
Nobody knows who started the Darkive. It’s a database filled with first-hand accounts of strange, unexplained experiences: ghosts; paranormal entities; weird anomalies. Each one is stored with a bank of evidence to prove the story. This is the first title in a brand-new horror series by the bestselling author Christopher Edge.
Small Wonder
Small Wonder lives peacefully at the edge of Ellia, along with his little brother and faithful horse. But then a deadly assassin arrives, enemies are invading and the kingdom is in danger. He must get to Kings’ keep and warn their ruler. Guided by his grandfather’s advice, he travels through the forest and mountains, overcoming challenges whilst all the time keeping his brother safe. This is a brilliant, fast-paced adventure involving a loyal horse, a hidden prince and a villainous king.
The Boy with Big Decisions
Fred’s parents make all his decisions for him - what to eat, what to wear and which school he should go to. They choose the high-pressure, strict Gains School, when he'd much rather go to Browtree, with its brilliant art department. As Fred waits for the bus to Gains School, he sees the bus for Browtree pull up and has a decision to make: should he jump on this bus? Or should he go where his parents want him to? You decide! Other decisions follow: should Fred sit next to the good kid or the naughty boy? Keep a secret or tell someone? You decide! A really unusual and fun book!
The Great Phoenix of London
When the Great Fire of London breaks out in 1666, eleven-year-old Gil is separated from his family in the chaos. One of his few remaining possessions is a mysterious ball of rock that fell from the sky. As he races to beat the inferno spreading across the city, neither he, nor his new friend Jennet, have any idea that the stone in his satchel is an unhatched bird of myth and fire. He is pursued by a man determined to get his hands on a legendary phoenix… Great historical fiction by Lindsay Galvin.
Turtle Moon
Silver's father, a famous wildlife painter, has accepted an invitation to paint at a turtle rescue sanctuary in hot and tropical Costa Rica, taking the family with him. Silver soon makes friends with a boy at the sanctuary and together they witness a rare sighting of a leatherback turtle nesting on the beach. But when the turtle’s eggs are stolen, events take a dark and dangerous turn. Can they track down the poachers before it's too late? A beautifully written book about wildlife, friends and family.
Anzu and the Realm of Darkness
Anzu has just moved to a new town during Obon, a time when families remember their ancestors. But ever since her grandmother Obaachan died, Anzu doesn't feel like celebrating. Escaping the festivities, she chases after a stray dog, slips and falls, and finds herself in the underworld known as Yomi, a place she's heard about in her grandmother’s stories. The stray dog - the Gatekeeper of Yomi - warns her to return to the human realm before it's too late. But getting home is not simple. Anzu must break a curse, free the spirits of other lost children and reach the gate home before sunrise… A really unusual graphic novel.
Action Dude and the Massive Shark
First name…Action. Second name…Dude. There’s a HUGE DEADLY MUTANT SHARK on the loose…whoops! Luckily Action Dude is on hand to help. This is the third in our favourite graphic novel series about an incredible action hero who is also a nine-year-old boy.
Puloma and the Bear
Puloma runs away with the circus but then finds their star act is a dancing sloth bear called Nyla. This form of cruelty is now illegal in India, and when Puloma sees Nyla being mistreated, she decides to try to help her escape… In turn Puloma and the boy from the circus who has been cruelly treated are rescued themselves. An exciting story about standing up for your beliefs and friendship.
The Boy in the Tree
Noah can’t seem to help getting into trouble at school. He’s the complete opposite of Grace, who’s always ‘extra good’, but when she wants to save an important tree from being cut down, they join forces: Noah climbs the tree and refuses to come down. His campaign to save it becomes news, involving his parents, the locals and the rest of the school. Can he save the tree and win the day?
Big Foot and the Wild Boys
Joe and Tiago are in year 6. Joe thinks he’s very average (while his best friend Tiago is brilliant at everything) and wants to do something to get noticed. He’s obsessed with Wildman Mike, an outdoor adventurer who is searching for a large, hairy monster in the local woods, followed by a TV reporter. Joe sees a chance to become a famous Wildman himself and find the monster before Wildman Mike. This is a very funny adventure story.
The Fear
Football used to be Kian’s passion, but he was bullied by his coach and doesn’t want to play again. A new coach tries to build up his confidence and dispel his fear at the same time as Kian must make decisions to support a friend. There’s lots about tactics, team playing and overcoming your fears in this action-packed sports story from bestselling and award-winning author Tom Palmer.
Complete Top Titles 2026 Bundle (24 books)
We know some students find longer books a challenge...
...so we've drawn together collections of shorter books, all recently published with strong characters, engaging plots and interesting themes.
Perfect for children who have mastered basic reading, but who struggle to read for pleasure on a regular basis, or who are held back by dyslexia or visual stress.
With short chapters, eye-friendly paper, dyslexia-friendly fonts and layout, these sets are discounted to make them affordable to as many schools as possible.
SUPER READABLES
10-book bundle
All About Ella
Ella’s teacher has read the poem, “Monday’s Child is fair of face...” to the class. Ella asks her parents which day she was born on. Her brother Sam is very ill and her parents are too busy and anxious to respond, so Ella feels forgotten and neglected. A beautifully plotted story which explores Ella’s complex feelings of loss, anxiety and jealousy of her sick brother.
Reading Age: 7 // Interest level: Years 4-7
All to Play for
This book tackles the increasing expense of football for working class children. Lewis loves football and he’s thrilled when his talent is spotted by coach. His mother blames the game for a family tragedy, and, in any case, there is no way she can afford the proper kit. So will Lewis be able to fulfil his dreams and overcome his mother’s objections? A moving and engaging story.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
Bruno and Frida
A fascinating and unusual story set just after the Second World War in East Germany in 1945. Bruno and his mother leave their home to escape from the Russian army. Bruno loses his mother and journeys alone to find his grandmother’s house. Towards the end there is an update to 2015 in which Bruno’s experiences are linked to those of Syrian refugees in Germany. This all sounds complicated but the powerful story telling makes it easy to read and children will also find out more about the lives of Germans post war.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 5-8
Meg And Merlin: Making Friends
Meg loves riding but her parents cannot afford a pony or riding lessons. On the morning of her tenth birthday, Meg sees a pony in the front garden. This delightful story describes how it becomes possible for Meg to ride and care for the pony.
Reading Age: 7 // Interest level: Years 4-7
Noodle the Doodle Wins the Day
Another book in a series about the dog at Wigley Primary. Sports Day is unusual this year with events such as frisbee tossing and book balancing! Will Noodle the Doodle spoil the fun or will he win the day? Fast moving, funny and engaging.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-7
Song Of The River
A beautiful book about the natural world and the environment. After the death of her father, Cari and her mother move to the country. When their riverside cottage is flooded, they must rebuild their home and café business. They become involved in a plan to reintroduce beavers into the area, but face local opposition. The story has many layers – overcoming grief, starting a new life and facing conflict. Easy to read! Stunning and pacey.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
Stitched Up
A real page turner about a Vietnamese girl who is abducted to work in a factory producing jeans for export to the West. The horrific real-cost of fast fashion is exposed in this gripping tale of survival. Hanh and others like her are slaves in a cruel and dangerous world and the story is about survival and escape. Probably best for pupils in Years 5 and 6 who have some understanding of child labour. The story is very accessible and pupils will get caught up in its suspense. Will Hanh escape?
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 5-8
Ted Rules the World
Ever since the new Prime Minister was elected, Ted notices that all his ideas seem to be turning into government policy! Ideas such as an extra day off at the weekend! Easy-to-follow and funny plot which also gets children to think about what they would ask the Prime Minister to do.
Reading Age: 7 // Interest level: Years 4-7
The Horror of Dunwick Farm
Another book in the series about friends Pete, Krish and Nancy whose role it is to solve the mysterious happenings in the town of Crooked Oak. An unidentified plane carrying a strange and terrifying cargo has crashed on the outskirts of the town. When people become ill and animals start to act strangely, it’s time for the team to investigate. An exciting, fast paced adventure story.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
The Raven Riddle
Another book in The Griffin Gate series in which Grace, Ben and their mother teleport around the country to help people in emergencies. Tom Eely is a new recruit to the crime-busting team and his first mission is to help Grace sort out a flock of ravens who are disturbing the lives of people in a small mountain village. The situation turns dangerous and Grace and Tom have to use all their skills and courage to save lives. Fast paced and suspense-filled plot.
Reading Age: 8 // Interest level: Years 4-8
